Shuri Araki sent a timely reminder of his capabilities by finishing quickest in the open men's technical race and qualifying for the quarter-finals at the 2024 International Canoe Federation Stand Up Paddling World Championships in Sarasota.
A world silver medallist in the long distance last year, the Japanese star crossed the line in 4:09.19, more than four seconds faster than his closest competitor Manuel Hoyuela of Spain in 4:13.21.
The teenager will be joined by another world medallist and compatriot Rai Taguchi, who clocked 4:18.29. Frenchman Ethan Bry, Christian Andersen of Denmark, Spaniard Aaron Sanchez, and Donato Freens of the Netherlands all impressed as action continued at Nathan Benderson Park.
A 37-year-old Sey Chelle of the United States ensured it was not going to be easy for defending champion Esperanza Barreras of Spain in the open women's technical category.
The home athlete qualified for the quarter-finals in 4:53.38 as the fastest, getting the better of Barreras by more than two seconds.
It was a good day for South Americans too, with Mariecarmen Rivera of Puerto Rico, Jenny Kalmbach of Costa Rica and Lucia Clembosky of Argentina all finishing under the five-minute mark.
Rika Okuaki of Japan timed 5:02.87, winning her heat and qualifying while Spaniards Sonia Caimari and Duna Gordillo finished first in their races.
Nariakira Shimazu is on track to upgrade his junior world bronze medal in the technical category in Sarasota.
After four quarter-finals, the top four from each race qualified for the semi-finals, but the Japanese star's performance stood out.
He was 3.28 seconds faster than second-placed Matei Barbu of Romania, who clocked 4:17.49 and almost seven seconds faster than Nicolo Rico of Italy in 4:21.02.
Shimazu's countryman Kotaro Miyahira, with a timing of 4:21.79 and Andreas Voulgaris of Greece in 4:35.15, topped the other two quarter-finals.
The women's junior technical race produced some close battles, with home favourite Soryn Preston producing a superb 5:12.83 to reach the semi-finals.
With a similar progression as the junior men, Italian Cecilia Pampinella showed she could challenge for more than one title in Florida, clocking 5:13.11.
Naja Pinteric was the third-fastest on 5:16.71, while Spain's Alexia Soto and Csillag Kocsis of Hungary won their respective quarter-finals to qualify.
It was a reality check for reigning champion Claudia Postiglione of Italy, who will have to improve on her timing of 4:55.61 if she is to defend her crown.
The masters over 40 men's technical race saw Roberto Canedo of Spain in 4:26.25 and George Fragos of Greece in 4:26.78 impress the most in quarter-final three.
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From our quarter-finals, current world title holder Ryohei Yoshida finished first in one of them, clocking 4:29.38. Christian Taucher of Austria and Joep Van Bakel of The Netherlands came out on top in the remaining races.
Argentinian duo of Juliana Gonzalez in 5:08.68 and Laura Palau in 5:52.17 were on a different level in the masters over 40 women's technical category as they qualified for the semi-finals.
Despite winning their respective races and making it to the semis, Great Britain's Verity Thomas and American Vicky Casey's timings of 6:04.79 and 6:28.55, respectively, reflect how dominant the South American duo were.
Penny Tsaoutou of Greece added to her fantastic display in the sprint by finishing the fastest in the masters over 50 women's technical race.
She reached the semi-finals with a time of 5:27.32, with Czechia's Katerina Trdlova second fastest at 5:28.93. Italy's Sara Oddera and Michelle Currier of the United States also went through after first-place finishes in their respective heats.
Marc Foraster of Spain in 4:48.75, Jaroslav Soukup of Czechia in 4:49.65, and the hosts' Packet Casey in 4:49.69 were the quickest in the masters over 50 men's technical category.
The top four from the eight quarter-finals will reach the next round with American Steve Miller, Americo Junior of Brazil, Norbert Hoedl of Austria, Vincent Guillaume of France, and Peter Weidert of Germany triumphing in the other quarter-finals.
Pictures by Romain Bruneau.
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